Hiked up out of Chantry Flats today for a nice counter-clockwise loop of Upper Winter Creek Trail-Santa Anita Ridge. Took the Upper Winter Creek Trail to Santa Anita Ridge then followed it down to where it meets up with the San Olene Fire Road. From there I descended a steep ridge to the heliport above Chantry Flats followed by a short walk down the road to the parking lot at Chantry.
I estimate this to be about 7 to 8 miles round trip and about 2500' total elevation gain including a lot of ups and downs along Santa Anita Ridge.
A nice thick marine layer provided misty and foggy conditions. Once on the ridge the clouds would open up occasionally to provide glimpses of nearby peaks and ridges. Almost all of the little gullies and creeks that cross the trail had running water in them - very nice.
Pics and videos.
Slow moving critter...
Looking west along Santa Anita Ridge...
Upper Winter Creek - Santa Anita Ridge Loop: 02-21-2010
- PackerGreg
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:31 pm
That is known as "Manzanita Ridge". It is a favorite hunting grounds for mountain lions.